Love of the Dragon (Her Dragon's Bane 4) (8 page)

"Charlotte, we need to go," Serena shouted from downstairs.

"Coming," she answered, poking her tongue out at her frowning face. "You can get through this."

Unsure if she believed herself, she left the room and went down to where the others were waiting. "You look radiant," she said, kissing Serena on the cheek.

Her sister blushed, and Connor put his hand on her arm and nodded. Serena looked up at him, eyes full of love and desire. "We were going to keep it to ourselves, but we wanted to share the news with you. I'm pregnant."

Charlotte felt a rush of joy. "That is wonderful, Serena." She hugged her sister and then turned to Connor, wrapping her arms around his huge, toned body as best she could.

"Congratulations, Connor."

"Thank you, Charlotte."

"I didn't think you could... You know, the Moon Rite."

"We are just grateful it happened. We don't need to know how or why." Connor's smile widened. "It was fun trying anyway."

She giggled, holding her hands up to him. "OK. That I don't need to know." Charlotte felt lighter now; the smile on her lips was real. Her nephew was going to have a playmate after all.

"Come on. Let's have some fun. Although, no punch for me," Serena said.

"There's punch?" Charlotte asked, trying to keep her spirits up.

"Oh yes. The local bar has provided the alcohol and apparently, this punch is some kind of local tradition. I think you should go easy on it."

"I'm eighteen now."

"Exactly, only just old enough to legally drink. So don't go mad."

"You make a good mother, Serena," Charlotte kissed her sister on the cheek. "I mean it," she said, pulling away. "You have always been more of a mom than our real mother." Serena's maternal instinct had meant she had always sacrificed herself for Charlotte. "But at some time you have to let me go."

"I know, Charlotte." Serena looked at her wistfully. "I can't help worrying. I need to know you're safe."

"I am safe. But you have your family now. Your children are your priority. So come on, let me grow up." She held her hand out for Serena to hold, and together they left the house.

Charlotte didn't miss the look that passed between her sister and Connor. She began to wonder if Zoah had sworn them to watch over her, to make sure she behaved. It would be an odd thing for her sister to agree to. No doubt, Zoah could be very persuasive.

“I hope Brandan hasn’t made a nuisance of himself,” Serena said as they walked to the stronghold through the forest.

“That’s impossible. One thing that has brought all the dragons together is having a young one around. Even Dòmhnall shows affection towards him,” Connor said.

“I wonder if Dòmhnall will ever consummate the bond between him and Tara,” Charlotte mused.

“He is probably trying to decide if he wants to live his whole life with her. She is the only person I know who is not afraid to antagonise him. More than once I’ve thought he would kill her,” Serena said.

“One day he won’t be able to stand it. One way or another.”

“I’ve never thought about how she must feel. He’s nearly as bad as Zoah. Ignoring his mate.” Charlotte said. The stronghold loomed in front of them, lit up for the first time ever. “Wow. Did they install electric?”

“No, they installed magic. The coven created some spells to hold the sunlight for a few hours. I had a sneak peak when they set it up. It’s incredible. Like solar power, only the sunlight is released, no light bulbs included.”

“I love it,” said Charlotte, genuinely excited.

“They have all gone to so much trouble,” Serena said.

“But they don’t even know me.”

“You are part of Spellholm. Despite the way Dòmhnall behaves, the dragons are very special to them. It’s the only place in the world you can find them. Apart from wherever Zoah is. And one day you will be the mother of dragons,” Serena said.

Connor put his hand up and whispered confidentially to Charlotte, “Enjoy it. Serena does. They treat her like royalty. What they’ll do when they find out she has another dragon on the way, there is no telling. I think they’ll kick Dòmhnall off his wooden throne and crown Serena Queen of Dragons. At least she’ll be easier to deal with.”

Serena dug him in the ribs. “Don’t pretend you don't enjoy the attention too. He parades Brandan in front of them all. Just making sure they know how virile he is.”

“I never knew just how much you two fit in here. You socialise with the other inhabitants that much?”

“Oh yes. I know when you lived here with us before you went away to uni we were quite reclusive. But when I gave birth to Brandan, everyone came to visit and bless the baby.”

“Here we go,” Connor said. They walked across the drawbridge, which was lowered for the evening. Already there was a large group of people in the courtyard. Music could be heard and the smell of cooking meat assailed their senses. Connor practically started drooling, although Serena looked a little nauseous. “This baby is going to be a vegetarian,” she said, putting her hand to her stomach. “The smell of cooking meat makes my stomach churn.”

“A vegetarian dragon. That I would like to see,” said Charlotte. Then a crowd of well-wishers swept her away from Serena. People she didn’t know wished her happy birthday. After the tenth time of telling them her actual birthday was two weeks ago, she gave up and went along with it.

Somehow, a glass of punch was pressed into her hand and a toast was being made. She raised her glass when someone shouted, “Happy Birthday, Charlotte!”

“I find them a little bit much.”

Charlotte turned to see Tara standing by her side. “Tara. I’m glad I found you. I wanted to thank you for setting this up.”

“Well, technically, I found you,” she said, smiling wickedly. “But you are welcome. We spurned mates should stick together.”

“You’re the only one who understands what I’m going through.”

“At least yours isn’t ignoring what’s between you.”

Charlotte followed Tara's gaze. An uncomfortable Dòmhnall was standing amongst a group of beautiful women. “Who are they?”

“Witches. They’re drawn to him. Sometimes I think that’s what has happened to me. That I have it wrong and it’s only my magic that draws me to him.”

“Is that possible?” Charlotte asked, shocked. Did she have it wrong, too? Was Zoah avoiding her because she thought he was his mate, but really, he wasn’t? Did she simply have a crush on Zoah that had got out of hand and frightened him away?

“Not for you. Your dragon is moping around like a lovesick puppy. Mine is oblivious to me. Except when I anger him. The problem is, I find myself pushing him for any reaction. So often, we just end up arguing, but at least he knows I’m there when we fight.”

“I’m sorry.”

Tara shrugged. “It’s not your fault. Anyway. I have a gift for you. It’s in my room. Want to come see?”

“You didn’t have to.”

“I know. But I did.” Tara turned, weaving through the people milling around, swaying to the music and laughing.

Charlotte tried to follow. So many people stopped and spoke to her, wishing her happy birthday. By the time they finished bestowing gifts on her, she had lost sight of Tara. All she could do was head for the house. She had been here enough times to know where the entrance to the house was. But not enough to know where to find Tara’s room.

Once inside she looked for somewhere safe to put all the gifts she carried. First, she needed to ditch her glass. She took several large gulps of the punch, letting the warmth spread through her. It did more than that; it went to her head, giving her a light buzz. The punch was stronger than she thought; no wonder Serena had warned her about it.

With a light head, she went further into the house. At first there were other people walking the stone passageways. It was amazing so many people from Spellholm had come. They were looking to see what the dragons had been hiding all these years. She wondered if they were looking for dragon gold.

“Happy birthday.” A tall, slim, blonde woman thrust something into her hand. Her silver charm bracelet jingling everytime she moved, like fairy bells.

“Thank you. You didn’t have to.”

“It’s custom. It’s your birthday.”

“But I don’t know you.”

“We know you. Connor and Serena have told us all about you. About your ordeal.”

“Oh. Really?”

“Yes. You are brave. And the rumour is you are a dragon mate too. Like Serena. It is written in the ancient lore that often sisters are the mates of dragon brothers.”

“I didn’t know that.”

The tall silver lady was going to launch into a great long speech. She could tell: her lecturers at uni wore the same expression. To Charlotte, history was exciting and vibrant. However, sometimes her lecturers took all the colour and excitement out of it. The woman in front of her was about to do the same.

“Listen. I would love to stay and listen to you.” Liar. “But I’m supposed to be meeting Tara.”

“Oh. I am a friend of hers too. Shall I help you?”

“I can find her,” Charlotte said, trying not to smile. Tara had made a friend. She must have changed since she came to Spellholm.

“I think she went that way,” the silver lady said, pointing. “Oh, sorry. I have my bracelet caught on your hair.

“Ouch. That’s OK. Can you untangle it?”

“Yes. Give me a second. I’m so sorry, what a terrible impression I’ve made. Pulling your hair out like that.

“Don’t worry,” Charlotte said once she was free. She walked away quickly, going back to her search for Tara.

Behind her, the silver lady watched her go. On second thoughts, Tara probably fit in well here; they were all odd. She rubbed her head absently, wondering where Tara could have disappeared.

“Where can she be?” Charlotte asked, looking into another empty room. She had gone into the depths of the house and found no one. Then she figured Tara would most probably have a room upstairs. That's where she headed now, although she was surprised Tara hadn’t waited for her.

Opening the first door at the top of the stairs, she found a room filled with ancient scrolls and wooden chests. Dragon gold. She couldn’t resist going in and taking a look. Lifting the lid of the first chest, she was disappointed to find odd trinkets. Stuff that could only have sentimental value. Still, it was old, a collection of jumbled-up pieces from through the ages. She would ask Dòmhnall if she could come and look through it all.

Closing it, she was about to leave when a fluttering noise caught her attention. Maybe a bird was stuck in here. She headed further in. It was a frantic sound; some poor creature was stuck, trying to escape.

Following the sound, she came to rows of shelves. Hidden at the back, behind a row of books, was a large dome, covered in a dark cloth. She knew she shouldn’t look. It was nothing to do with her, and the last thing she wanted to do was upset Dòmhnall. What if she ruined Serena’s happiness here? But the sound was so frantic; it reminded her of the way she felt when she dreamed. In the darkness of her dreams, she searched forever, for something that didn’t want to be found. Zoah.

Looking back to the door, she checked there was no one there. What harm would it be to look?

When she reached out her hand, it was trembling. Nothing she could do would stop it; a mixture of apprehension and fear took her. What would they have trapped here?

With one last effort to pull her courage together, she lifted the cloth. There, trapped in a glass dome, was Zoah.

A shock of electricity flew through him. Like an electromagnetic pulse, shutting down his system. His wings curled up like dried paper and he plummeted towards the earth.

So ends the great blue dragon, Zoah thought. He prepared to die. Then the face of Charlotte came to him, smiling and happy in his arms. He fought for control, but his wings wouldn’t work. All he could do was aim his body. But if he hit the ground, or the mountains, he was dead. Water, there had to be water.

A shallow stream was no good. He needed a lake or the ocean. He would never drift far enough to reach the ocean. His mind rapidly filtered out all of the landmarks around him. Too far. He was doomed.

The tiny dragon was frantically trying to get to her. “Zoah?” she whispered. Without thinking, the small creature flew at her, flapping around her face like an excited puppy. Its little claws scratched her; she had to carefully wrap her hands around the dragon and hold it away.

Its body shook and trembled. Hers was about to vomit.

She put her hand to her mouth, holding the small creature with the other. If she was caught in here she wouldn't be able to free him; they would take him from her and imprison him again. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself, but the feeling of betrayal was too much.

Had they captured him when he brought the sword as a gift? Was this what happened if you didn’t swear allegiance to Dòmhnall?

Connor. Did he know? He would never let anything happen to Zoah. What would happen if she told him? Would they hurt him? Or Serena. The baby.

Her inner voice babbled. Unable to process any of this. Sitting on the edge of a table, she released her grip on the dragon. He flew at her again. She caught it and pushed it away. Pointing her finger at it and saying, “Careful.”

He flew at her again. She repeated the action. After three times he approached her cautiously, becoming overjoyed when she didn’t push him away again. It didn’t add up. If this was Zoah, why didn’t he change and why did he have the mental capacity of a new puppy? If she stroked him and he could be next to her, he was happy. If she pushed him away, she expected him to cock his head and whine.

One thing she did know. She didn’t have the luxury of time. There were too many people in the house, and Tara might very well be looking for her. Hastily covering up the jar, she tucked him inside her dress. After a stern warning to settle down, he did. Heading downstairs, she gathered up the gifts. It was a convenient way to hold something in front of her without raising suspicion. Then she headed back outside. She needed to leave.